NEWARK, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Artesian Resources Corporation (NAS: ARTNA) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a 1.5% increase in the company's Class A and Class B Common Stock dividend, raising the annual dividend to $0.8228 per share. The quarterly dividend of $0.2057 is payable May 22, 2013, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 10, 2013. This is the 82nd consecutive quarterly dividend paid to shareholders.

Artesian has now increased its dividend each year for the past 16 years. "Our commitment remains to deliver value to our shareholders and to provide our customers with the same safe and reliable service that has been our promise to them for over 100 years," said Dian C. Taylor, Chair, President and CEO of Artesian Resources. "Our ability to continue to deliver on our promise is the direct result of our dedicated employees and management team."

About Artesian Resources

Artesian Resources Corporation operates as the holding company of eight wholly-owned subsidiaries offering water, wastewater services and related services on the Delmarva Peninsula. Artesian Water Company, the principal subsidiary, is the oldest and largest investor-owned public water utility on the Delmarva Peninsula and has been providing water service since 1905.